Previous winners have used the donation to start a mentoring program for at-risk students, offer a scholarship program to first generation college students and enhance campus sustainability.

JASPER, Ind.—National Office Furniture announces its $25,000 Gift of Inspiration for Education Environments. As education funding and enrichment program support remain challenged, National is pleased to offer the $25,000 Gift of Inspiration to enhance the learning experience and provide new opportunities for student and educator advancement. The donation can be used for technology needs, scholarships, training and development programs, facility enhancements or any other worthy endeavor.

This is National’s fourth Gift of Inspiration for Education and seventh overall, with three benefitting healthcare organizations since the program’s inception in 2009. The latest Gift of Inspiration for Education Environments allows educational organizations to register to win $25,000 from the furniture manufacturer. Organizations can enter now through August 31, 2012, simply by registering at www.NationalOfficeFurniture.com/Education. There is no purchase necessary, no strings attached, nor a grant application to complete.

Last year’s winner, Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., is using the money to boost its Student Sustainability Fund, where students propose sustainability projects. They have already implemented several to green their campus such as a community garden, a bike loaner program, incorporating building performance dashboards in five residence halls and spearheading the use of new solar-powered street lights at the university’s entrance. All of the ideas for green campus projects that utilize the sustainability fund are submitted and executed by the students.

“This gift will enable the Sustainability Fund Committee to implement larger investment projects and allow the students to push the envelope even further in what we can accomplish in greening our campus. This gift will definitely inspire us to do more for each other and the environment,” said Herbie Rosen, student, Brandeis University student union president, during the check presentation from National.

Previous winner, Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas, utilized the $25,000 gift to start their “Building Pathways to Success” scholarship program for first-generation college students (identified as students not having any immediate family members that attended or graduated from a two- or four-year college).

“At National, we believe in delivering extraordinary experiences. The Gift of Inspiration is our way of helping others to do the same,” says Kevin McCoy, general manager, National Office Furniture, and vice president, Kimball International.